Friday, Nov. 30, 2007

Death

• Billy Joe Norton, 71, of Route 5, Box 722, Red Oak Ridge, Bluefield, died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007 at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. Arrangements are incomplete at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home, Bluewell.



Obituaries

Carl Blankenship

GREENVILLE — Carl Blankenship, 80, of Greenville, formerly of Hanover, passed away November 28, 2007 at the home of his daughter, Melissa Sarver in Dublin, Va.

Born October 2, 1927 in Cub Creek, he was a son of the late Bill and May Harless Blankenship. Carl was an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Army. He was a retired coal miner having worked for 35 years in McDowell, Wyoming and Mingo Counties. He spent his retirement years enjoying hunting with long time friend Ott Trent and flea marketing with neighbor and close friend Pat Wickline.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Evelyn; brothers, Alfred, James and twin brother Ray Blankenship; and his son-in-law, Mick Sarver.

Survivors include his daughter, Melissa Sarver of Dublin, Va.; step grandson, Chase Sarver of Dublin, Va.; sisters, Irena Lilly and husband Alvie, Cora Perry and husband Lyle; brother, Arthur Blankenship and wife Nancy all of Statesville, N.C.; nieces, who lived with him and Evelyn, Pamela Steele of Iaeger and Linda Gail Kuesterbeck of Cleveland, Ohio; and many other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 1, 2007 at Fanning Funeral Home of Iaeger at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Carl Mouser officiating. Burial will follow at Ellis Cemetery at Hanover.

Friends may call today from 6 ‘til 8 p.m. at Wickline Funeral Home of Lindside and one hour prior to service at Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to Carilion New River Valley Hospice Services at 707 Randolph St., Suite 251, Radford, VA 24141 who took such wonderful care of him in his last days.

Arrangements by Wickline Funeral Home of Lindside.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

Mrs. Una Fleshman Carper

STAUNTON, Va. — Mrs. Una Fleshman Carper, age 94, of 512 Ruxton Health Center of Staunton, Va., passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2007. She was born October 1, 1913 in Orchard, the daughter of the late William Adair and Ida Dillon Fleshman.

She was a homemaker and resided with her late brother and sister-in-law, J. Howard and Myrtle R. Fleshman of Waynesboro, Va. until entering Ruxton Health Center. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Waynesboro, Va.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Carper Jr.; three brothers, Clarence L., J. Howard, and W. Russell Fleshman; three sisters, Lucy F. Jarvis, Hallie F. Robinson, and Louise F. Jones; and one nephew, Ronald E. Jarvis. Una was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

She is survived by two nephews, Benny Robinson and wife Jean of Chester, Md., Jim R. Fleshman and wife Barbara of Kingsport, Tenn.; three nieces, Barbara R. McCoy of Timberlake, N.C., Bonnie J. Thompson and husband Ted of Tucson, Ariz.; and a special niece and caregiver, Connie F. Shrader and husband Tim of Waynesboro, Va.; one sister-in-law, Virginia C. Fleshman of Peterstown. She is also survived by several great-nephews and nieces and great-great nephews and nieces.

In keeping with Una’s wishes, there will be no visitation and only a graveside service 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 1, 2007 at the Orchard Cemetery, Ballard, with the Rev. Jonathan Jennings officiating. Friends may meet at the funeral home at 1:30 p.m. to go to the gravesite.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church, 301 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro, VA 22980.

Online guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the Carper family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com.

Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown.

Ruby Carol Brewster Dye

CEDAR BLUFF, Va. — Ruby Carol Brewster Dye, age 58, of Cedar Bluff, Va., went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 in a Kingsport, Tenn. hospital. Born August 28, 1949 in Tazewell County, Va., she was the daughter of the late Rev. William Wade and Gladys Marie Elswick Brewster.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one infant son, Richard Wayne Dye; one infant daughter, Sherri Lynn Dye; and brother, Samuel Letcher Brewster.

She is survived by one daughter, Tracie Renee Davidson and husband Larry of Cedar Bluff; one son, Michael Wayne Dye and wife Tammy of Cedar Bluff; goddaughter, Glenda Denise Mullins of Tampa, Fla.; one brother, A.G. Brewster and Marge Hubbard of Cedar Bluff; one sister, Inez Marie Wallace of Cedar Bluff; five grandchildren, Jessica Dawn Dye, Justin Michael Byrd, Sarah Marie Dye, Bradley Michael Dye, and Kortnee Mckayla Byrd; three step grandchildren, Tautianna Santos, Jessica Davidson and Marshall Davidson; one god-grandson, Kevin Mullins; beloved special friends, Pauline Addington and Linda Burress; a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 1, 2007 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel at Cedar Bluff, Va. with the Rev. Raymond (Buddy) Herald officiating. Burial will follow in the Brewster Cemetery at Ravens Nest Branch in Cedar Bluff, Va. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. today (Friday) with a service at 7 p.m. at Singleton Funeral Service at Cedar Bluff, Va.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.SingletonFuneralService.com .

Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Dye family.

Mary A. Gwyn

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Mary A. Gwyn (nee Arangio), formerly of Northfork. Beloved wife of the late William C. Gwyn. Loving mother of Sarah Mabry, Mary Lou Heidemann and Michealine Gwyn. Devoted grandmother of Larry and Ron Heidemann and Jane (Ed) Butler and great grandmother of Megan and Patrick Butler. Passed away on Thursday, November 15, 2007 in Cincinnati, Ohio at 88 years of age.

Funeral service was held at Bridgetown Church of Christ in Cincinnati on Tuesday, November 20, 2007. Burial was Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery in Bluewell.

Family requests memorials to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 163549, Columbus, OH 43216-3549.

B.J. Meyer Sons Funeral Home of Cincinnati serving the family.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

James Albert Helton Jr.

BLUEFIELD — James Albert Helton Jr., 90, of the Beckley VA Medical Center (formerly of Cedar Street in Bluefield), died Wednesday, November 28, 2007 in a Beckley hospital.

Born March 29, 1917 in Bluefield, he was the son of the late James A. Helton and Josephine Lester Helton. Mr. Helton was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He loved to garden and be outside. He loved to read and he loved dogs.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Harry Paul Helton, Ira “Jim” Helton and David Earl Helton; and one sister, Jessie Helton.

Survivors include one brother, Howard Helton of Mansfield, Ohio; nieces, Deborah Hager and her husband Dewey of Princeton, Brenda Black and her husband William of Virginia Beach, Va. and Valerie Helms and her husband Steve of Bedford, Va.; nephews, James R. Helton of Bluefield, Tim Helton and his wife Amy of Atlanta, Ga. and Rick Helton and his wife Carol of Roanoke, Va.; and sisters-in-law, Betty Helton of Roanoke, Va. and Dorothy Ruth Helton of Bluefield.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Monte Vista Park Cemetery Mausoleum with the Rev. Howard Finkel officiating. Those wishing to attend the services are asked to meet at the cemetery by 2:00.

Military graveside rites will be performed by the West Virginia Army Honor Guard.

Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages may do so by visiting www.mercerfuneralhome.com.

Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory of Bluefield is serving the Helton family.

Frances Lucille Thornton Sisk

KEGLEY — Frances Lucille Thornton Sisk, 85, of Kegley, departed this life early Thursday morning, November 29, 2007, at her residence to meet her Lord and Savior.

Born October 23, 1922, at Lamar, she was the daughter of the late Edward Henderson Thornton and Nettie Lou Robertson Thornton.

Frances, along with her husband Claude are the owners/operators of the Sisk Mobile Home Park in Kegley. She had been a member of the Rock Assembly God Church, Lake Shawnee for many years. Mrs. Sisk had been a resident of Kegley for over 50 years and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Willard Dale Sisk; a grandson, Martin Wesley Johnson; a sister, Lockie Lou Parks; and brothers, Giles Arnold Thornton, Alonzo E. Thornton, and Charles Donald Thornton.

Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Claude Everette Sisk; children, Mary Jean Johnson, Claude Everette Sisk Jr., and Richard Allen Sisk Jr. all of Kegley, Sandra Frances Vest and Rebecca Ann Ward both of Hickory, N.C.; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Walter Henderson Thornton and William Eugene Thornton both of Kegley.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 1, 2007 from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Pastor Maynard Sisk officiating with a Eulogy given by Vivian Slone. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of the Wildwood Mausoleum, Roselawn Memorial Gardens on the Courthouse Road in Princeton.

Friends may visit with the family today from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral h home. Family and friends may share online condolences via www.memorialfd.com

Serving as pallbearers will be Bryan Sisk, Dale Sisk, Richard Sisk Jr., Michael Johnson, Justin Johnson, Matthew Sisk and Everette Vest.

The Sisk family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.



Funerals

Funerals scheduled today include:

• Robert R. Bailey: 1 p.m., Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell.

• Donna Theo Burton: Noon, Jesus Church in Bartley. Burial will follow in Kennedy Cemetery, Jolo.

• Frances Gills Keith Goings Fox: 11 a.m., Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, Va. Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, Va.

• Ethel A. Shumate: 1 p.m., Seaver Funeral Service in Princeton. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell.

• Sarah E. Smith: 1 p.m., I.P.S. Memorial Chapel in Bluefield. Burial will follow at Restlawn Cemetery, Bluewell.